ESPN FC's Gabriele Marcotti breaks down Real Madrid's draw to Villarreal, and what that means for the La Liga title race.

The knives were out for manager Carlo Ancelotti after Real Madrid's 1-1 draw Sunday night against an under-strength Villarreal side. Madrid had not dropped league points on home soil since losing to Atletico Madrid in September and were up against a side fielding their second string in all but name.

Top scorer Luciano Vietto was rested, captain Bruno Soriano was injured and creative spark Denis Cheryshev was not allowed to play against his parent club, owing to the terms of his loan deal. Marcelino...

ESPN FC's Gabriele Marcotti breaks down Real Madrid's draw to Villarreal, and what that means for the La Liga title race.

You can't really fault Carlo Ancelotti's tenure at Real Madrid. Delivering the Decima guaranteed plenty of leeway at the club, and galvanizing the squad after the fractious reign of predecessor Jose Mourinho was exactly why the affable Italian was hired. Real lead the league table going into March, are very much in the running to retain their European crown, and by and large the players are focused entirely on the good of the collective. After less than two seasons at the Bernabeu, it really is...

ESPN FC's Gabriele Marcotti breaks down Real Madrid's draw to Villarreal, and what that means for the La Liga title race.

Five thoughts gleaned from La Liga's weekend fixtures, as Real Madrid were held by Villarreal at the Bernabeu, while Barcelona continued to bounce back with a win over Granada, and Atletico were held by European-chasing Sevilla.

1. Isco not an untouchable galactico just yet

Real Madrid remain La Liga leaders after their 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal on Sunday night, but the game again showed how Isco has a ways to go before being confirmed as first choice for coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga has been cut to two points after Carlo Ancelotti's men were forced to accept their first league draw of the season, 1-1, against a much-changed but equally-impressive Villarreal side at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Gerardo Moreno's second-half leveller secured the Yellow Submarine a point and ensured Madrid were no longer than only side in La Liga without a draw to their name. Cristiano Ronaldo had fired the hosts ahead in the 52nd minute from...

Our panel examine Real Madrid's lead over its archrivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Gareth Bale hit the nail on the head following Real Madrid's 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in December when he said "sometimes when you go on a winning run you can get a bit complacent."

The Welshman went on to add that he and his teammates were "determined and 100 percent focused to win every game" as they prepared to return from the winter break on the back of a Spanish record 22-match winning run in competitive matches. Nothing seemed likely to stop a Madrid juggernaut that had been firing...